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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. E. Smith is a merchant and farmer of Columbia County, Ark., and is a resident of Magnolia, although he first saw the light of day in the independent republic of Texas, July 13, 1845, which was annexed to the United States in December the same year. His parents, Daniel D. and Ann (Bulloch) Smith, were born in Tennessee and Mississippi, respectively, but in 1837 they moved to Texas, and were among the pioneer settlers and farmers of San Augustine County. His father, Daniel D. Smith, was in that State during the trouble between the Regulators and the Moderators, and he warmly espoused the cause of the latter. Although not a participant in the Mexican War, he was mixed up in the troubles growing out of that war, and served as sheriff of San Augustine County when it required a man of considerable nerve and presence of mind. In 1855 they moved and settled in Columbia County, Ark. J. E. Smith was educated in this county, and in June, 1862, he joined Bird’s battalion of cavalry, and served on the west side of the Mississippi River, under Gen. Kirby Smith. Being active and genial and fearless in disposition, he was quite a favorite with his commander. He was paroled at Camden, Ark., in June, 1865, after which he returned to his home. In 1869 he entered the commercial college of Dolbans, New Orleans, La., and was graduated from the same in the spring of 1870, entering the employ of Hicks & Thompson, general merchants of this place, as book-keeper and salesman, and remained thus employed for two years. He next took charge of C. B. Morgan’s business, at his employer’s death, which occurred nine months later. He became associated in business with J. W. Runyan, the firm name being Smith & Runyan, general merchants. This business was successfully carried on for two years, then a change, Mr. Smith becoming the sole proprietor, conducting affairs alone up to the present time. His annual sales amount to about $25,000, and besides this property he owns about twenty-five good farms, which he rents, furnishing mules, supplies and farming implements. He is one of the best-known men in the county; is one of the oldest merchants, and he has conducted business under one firm name for the past sixteen years, which is considerably longer than any other man there. Miss Alice Mathews became his wife in 1874, she being a native of this county, and a daughter of Dr. J. P. and Mary Ann (Keith) Mathews, who were born in the State of Georgia. Dr. J. P. Mathews moved and settled in this county in 1849. During the early days of Arkansas he was a practitioner of medicine and a successful farmer. He was broken up by the war, but had somewhat recovered when Clayton’s militia made havoc of what he had accumulated in 1869, for no cause, no better citizen having lived. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Eddie, Parks and Lora. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Smith also belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church, the I. O. O. F., Magnolia Lodge No. 24, the A. F. & A. M., Columbia Lodge No. 82, and is a member of the Chapter No. 11, Council No. 8, of Magnolia.

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This family biography is one of 106 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Columbia County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Columbia County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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